Haha actually, I think she’s actually just really scared. I mean, her uncle did die on one 15 years ago now. Kind of a weird set of circumstances. She made me give one of my roommates all of my family’s contact info in case anything happened.

Mothers are like that, but funny how they always know someone who was killed on a bike but never say I knew somone who was killed in a car when you get your first car.
Anyway mate take it easy watch out for all the other idiots on the road and enjoy the experience of life on a bike.

Good choice for a first bike. Always wear protection. Always ride like the cars are trying to kill you. Never hang in a blind spot, keep in sight of their mirrors, etc. If you have zero experience, find the local Motorcycle Safety Foundation and take their introductory course. Go to the bookstore and pick up a book on riding basics. Learn about countersteering. Learn proper braking technique. But most of all, enjoy.

I’ve been looking into countersteering, and I can remember “push left, lean left, turn left” but I can’t for the life of me figure out how it works. Why does turning the wheel to the right and leaning left turn you left?

Just from what other riders have told me and the safety stuff I’ve read, I’ve realized this. I actually think this is related to how my great-uncle died. No one ever saw it, but my theory (based on the last couple of days) is that he was swerving, accidentally locked the rear wheel, released that wheel, and since the direction of travel of the bike and the direction of spin on the rear wheel was different, he got thrown off and broke his neck on a stupid little 3-inch tree. I think that’s called “high-siding.”

Anyone who watches a lot of motorcycle racing or rides themselves would most certainly know more about this than I do.

So, from the posts here I take it that you don’t need a specific motorcycle license to ride one of these in USA?

Here, in Denmark, you need to do the whole procedure again with driving lessons and theory lessons to be allowed to ride a motorcycle. And there even are two size classes, with the larger one (anything above 125 cc) requiring you to be over 21 to get the license.

Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles are included in this class. An applicant must be at least 17 years of age in order to get a Class M license, but is not required to possess a Class C license before applying for this license.

I’d never ride a motorcycle just because so many people around here don’t seem to have a clue they’re there. In fact I sometimes wonder if all the stupid shit I see motorcycles doing (wheelies, etc) is just so the other drivers will notice them. But hey, your funeral, right? 😛

Try the state safety courses first, the one I had to attend for the Navy in Jacksonville was pretty decent…but that was 17 years ago. If you have ridden a bicycle, the basics of steering and braking are the same, you just have a LOT more power at your disposal to get into trouble with. Keep in mind my favorite Dirty Harry quote:” A man’s got to know his limitations.” and you will be fine. See you at the Fire and Ice someday.

I just finished with the second of two days at Volusia Motorcycle Training, which is a state safety/licensing course. It’s awesome. And you’re right – very much the same as a bicycle, but with far more power (and controls). Dirty Harry rocks and if I ever head towards New Mexico I’ll look you up.

this website brought to you by The Tiki Web Group Unless specifically mentioned, we have no clue where this content came from. Know where it came from? Post the link in the comments, and reap the glory! All comments are the sole possesion of the commenters and do not reflect the opinions or values of MCS.